Given that an aging population puts stress on a state's ability to provide services, and that the converse is probably true -- that a state with more young persons is less burdensome and more vibrant -- we thought we'd take a look at the 2000 U.S. Census data of populations in those states that have significant inflows of retirees.  Here they are:


                                    Age by states

                           %65+        <18            18 to 65

Arizona             12.8            26.6            60.6

Florida              17.6            22.9            59.5

No. Carolina    12.1            24.7            63.2

So. Carolina     12.6            24.1            63.3

Georgia               9.6            26.0            64.4

Virginia              11.4            24.1            64.5

Tennessee        12.6            23.3            64.1

Alabama            13.2            23.9            62.9

Texas                   9.9            27.7            62.4

Nevada              11.3            25.7            63.0
"They put in PGA-type bunkers (sand traps).  Look, the average age of the golfer here is 78. The average handicap is 20 or above. We're not good golfers..." 
-- 73 year old John Reppert, a golf-playing resident of Rossmoor, a Walnut Creek, CA, "active retirement" community.  Developers spent $2 million on golf course improvements only to find some of its members quit because the course was too difficult.  (Source:  The San Francisco Chronicle)